Latest news with #BotanicalSurveyofIndia
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
BU gets Prakriti Mitra award for green campus drive
1 2 Berhampur: State govt has recognised the green campus drive launched by Berhampur University by selecting it for the Prakruti Mitra award for 2024-25. Berhampur is the only university among 185 awardees. The award is presented to organisations, including several schools, colleges, volunteer organizations and individuals for their contribution towards the protection of environment, plantation and conservation, among others. Out of the 185 awardees, Ganjam district has the highest of 21, including Berhampur University, Indian Coast Guard, Chhatrapur and Rushikulya sea turtle protection committee. A cash award of Rs 20,000 and a certificate would be presented to each awardee. "We are happy as the govt recognised our drive for a green campus. The award will encourage students and teachers to participate in the drive," said Geetanjali Dash, vice-chancellor, Berhampur University. "We have planted over 2,000 saplings of 185 species on the campus as part of the drive," said Padmalochan Murmu, assistant professor of botany and coordinator of the drive. He said they have planned to plant all 5,370 species available in the state on the campus in the next two years. "Plantation of all species will not only make the campus green, but also help researchers and students, especially botany, to study the plants," he added. Centre has sanctioned around Rs 32.48 lakh to the university for conservation and multiplication of selected threatened endemic plants of south Odisha. The ministry of environment, forests and climate change has released Rs 11.36 lakh — the first instalment of the three-year project — to the university through Botanical Survey of India (BSI) recently, sources said. "Under the project, the university will develop a botanical garden of rare, endangered and threatened plant species in around 4 acres of land," said Dash.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
1823 tea bushes come alive at Botanic Garden after 4-month revival efforts
1 2 3 Howrah: A full-fledged tea garden that had been established by the British at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanic Garden in Shibpur, Howrah, in 1823 but subsequently declined due to neglect has been revived once again. The new tea garden, spanning one and a half bighas, demonstrates that tea cultivation is feasible on flat land. Located opposite the Great Banyan Tree, this sloped garden replicates the style of Darjeeling tea estates and has been opened to visitors on Friday afternoon. The garden also offers 70 species of plants for purchase at reasonable prices, with plans for expansion. The experimental project at Botanic Garden employs scientific methods to ensure the tea plants' survival in challenging weather conditions. Saplings sourced from Darjeeling's foothills are showing promising growth. Senior officials from the Botanical Survey of India attended the public inauguration, and authorities anticipate increased visitor interest once tea production commences. The garden's historical significance dates to 1823 when the British initiated tea production here, distributing saplings across India. The garden played significant role in the development of tea cultivation in India, particularly Assam and Darjeeling. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The garden, founded in 1786, was instrumental in introducing and acclimatizing tea plants, including tea bushes smuggled from China. The recent revival effort began with planting 500 saplings from Darjeeling foothills and Dooars in Feb. Though 25% saplings did not survive, scientists at the garden took multiple measures to ensure the rest not only survived but flourished. Due to the different climate and soil, the authorities focused on preparing suitable soil for tea cultivation from the start. One and a half bighas of land were sloped to prevent waterlogging, and the soil's acidity was reduced. An auto-sprinkler system was installed to water the tea plants at specific times daily. A separate department has been created for the garden's maintenance. Botanic Garden joint director Devendra Singh reported that 75% of plants have adapted successfully. Joint secretary Namita Prasad of the Central Ministry of Environment noted that tea production would enhance the garden's appeal. The facility now offers 70 plant species for sale, with QR codes for tracking rare specimens' distribution.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
This botanical illustrator is charting the endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats, one brushstroke at a time
At the intersection of art and science, lies the realm of botanical illustration. For Suresh Ragavan, a bird artist, who has served as a botanical illustrator at the Botanical Survey of India for over 33 years, this realm has not only been a source of his bread and butter, but inspiration too that kept fuelling his passion for Nature. This passion has now translated into a solo exhibition — titled, Brushstrokes of Endemic Echoes — of his creations, 157 of which adorn the Kadambari Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai. 'A botanical illustrator faces many challenges, both artistic and scientific. One of the biggest is achieving scientific accuracy — even the tiniest mistake in a leaf shape or petal count can lead to rejections from botanists. Getting final approval often means multiple rounds of corrections, especially when working on species with minute differences, like male and female plants or visually similar varieties,' explains Suresh, about the nitty-gritty of his artistic endeavours. 'Capturing microscopic details like ovary shape, stamen arrangement, or leaf venation requires intense focus and sometimes working under a microscope. There's also the challenge of interpreting incomplete or wilted specimens collected from the field. Above all, patience and precision are constant companions in this demanding, but rewarding work' he adds. A graduate of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai (1988), Suresh began his professional journey, driven by a mission to use art as a tool for conservation. In doing so, he has documented and painted a vast array of species, including wild animals, orchids, butterflies, and especially birds. He has studied and illustrated over 157 endangered bird species, ensuring that each anatomical feature — beak, feet, feather pattern, body posture, and even minute sexual dimorphisms between males and females — is faithfully represented. 'In total, I have nearly 550 paintings. This exhibition only showcases endangered birds in the Western Ghats that I have documented over the years. The list of endemic birds featured at the exhibition includes Pallas's fish eagle, mangrove pitta, Nilgiri thrush, Vigors's sunbird, great hornbill, Nilgiri Chilappan, flame-throated bulbul, Malabar grey hornbill and black-and-orange flycatcher,' he adds. The spectrum of botanical illustrators spans a colourful trajectory. Encyclopaedia Britannica cites classical pharmacologist, artist, and physician to Mithradates VI, king of Pontus (120–63 BC) Crateuas's drawings as the earliest known botanical illustrations. In India, the earliest form of botanical art traces its roots to depictions on early archaeological sites and in ancient manuscripts. This sphere of art flourishes even today, despite the convenience of high-end cameras and mobile phones. Why, though? 'Despite all the fancy cameras, a botanical illustrator captures what the lens often misses — clarity, emotion, and essence. Cameras can distort colours or miss tiny structures hidden in shadows, while the brush highlights them with precision. Illustrations unify multiple views — flower, fruit, leaf, dissection — into one clear visual story. There's a sensitivity in hand-drawn art that breathes life into the subject. The paintbrush doesn't just record a plant — it interprets it,' says Suresh. True to his words, Suresh's work stands out for its scientific accuracy and sensitivity to detail. He uses water colours on paper as his medium of expression. His illustrations have been widely acknowledged in academic papers, conservation reports, exhibitions, and they serve as visual records of species that are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and human encroachment. Many of his paintings focus on endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats and India, highlighting their fragile existence and the urgent need for their protection. On display at Kadambari Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai, till June 2; 10am to 6pm; weekends till 7pm. Entry is included with regular museum admission (closed on Tuesdays).
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Meet Pedicularis rajeshiana: The new plant species from Himalayas
1 2 3 4 Prayagraj: A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the western Himalayas of India, with the identification of a new plant species, Pedipularis rajeshiana, in the high-altitude regions of Rohtang Pass. Ace scientist Arti Garg, formerly the head of the Botanical Survey of India in Prayagraj and currently with BSI Dehradun, has classified this unique plant under the family Orobanchaceae. Garg has named the species after her husband, Rajesh. The discovery has been officially documented in the prestigious journal Phytotaxa, based in Mongolia. Pedicularis rajeshiana belongs to a group of plants known as "Louseworts", which are hemiparasitic, meaning they derive some nutrients from other plants while still performing photosynthesis. According to Garg, what distinguishes this species from others in the Pedicularis genus are its unique floral characteristics and pollen structure. Notably, Garg has previously made significant discoveries, including identifying the world's oldest known Banyan tree (500 years old), a 600-year-old Khirni tree, and an 800-year-old Parijaat tree. Unlike its close relatives P. porrecta and P. heydei, the new species is smaller in size and has fewer flowers and leaflets. One of its most striking features is the deeply-cut lower lip (labium) of the flower and the unique positioning of its stamens — the parts that produce pollen—at three different levels inside the flower. In addition, its pollen grains show a rare structure with a croton-like surface texture and a distinct shape, which was confirmed using light and scanning electron microscopes. Remarkably, during the fieldwork, two flowers were found with a twin "galea"— a hood-like part of the flower — a trait never observed before in this genus. Scientists believe this may be an evolutionary adaptation aimed at improving pollination efficiency. The plant was found at an altitude of 4,390 metres (about 14,400 feet) in the Rohtang Pass, a rugged and ecologically rich area in Himachal Pradesh. The Rohtang region, part of the Pir Panjal mountain range, is known for its extreme climate, including heavy snowfall and storms. Pedicularis rajeshiana was spotted growing in small, scattered patches in shaded rocky slopes. It thrives in very specific microhabitats, making it rare and possibly endangered. This discovery was made during a plant survey under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) and the Botanical Survey of India, as part of the "Flora of India" project. Detailed lab analysis was carried out on various plant parts, including pollen grains, to confirm its uniqueness and establish it as a new species. India is home to 83 known species of Pedicularis, with 36 species found in the western Himalayas alone. Due to their parasitic nature and specific habitat requirements, many of these plants are endemic — found only in certain regions. The identification of Pedicularis rajeshiana adds to this rich biodiversity and highlights the ecological significance of high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems. Conservation efforts will be important to protect this rare discovery.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wildlife census in Varanasi division from May 26
1 2 Varanasi: As per guidelines of the govt of India, a wildlife census will be conducted in Varanasi division from May 26 to June 14. The census will cover all forest areas within and outside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as areas outside the forests. The census will include herbivorous wildlife such as barasingha, blackbuck, chinkara, and rhinoceros, along with bears. The Zoological Survey of India, the Botanical Survey of India, NGOs related to wildlife, unpaid wildlife wardens, colleges, and universities will be involved in the census. For the wildlife census, duty lists and responsibilities for officials and employees were received from the state headquarters. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, will be the chief organiser of the census, while the Forest Conservator of the Varanasi Division the main organiser and will be responsible for ensuring smooth conduct of the census. Organisers will also be responsible for providing appropriate training to other officials/employees involved in the census in their respective areas and arranging materials. They will conduct the census in their areas as per the instructions of the chief organiser and send the compiled information of their subordinate forest divisions to the chief organiser within the stipulated time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Didn't Anyone Tell You About This Power Saver? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo All concerned Divisional Forest Officers of Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Chandauli will be organisers in their respective divisions and will provide appropriate training to their subordinates. They will divide their divisions into census units, prepare duty lists, and distribute materials and other necessary forms for the census. They will ensure the census forms are filled out at the range level as per instructions and send the compiled census report, duly signed by the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer and themselves, to the Forest Conservator. Ravi Singh, Conservator of Forest of Varanasi Division, said that the main objective of the census is to make it transparent so that the wildlife data obtained is as close to reality as possible. The division or area where the wildlife census is being conducted should be divided into small census units in such a way that each census unit can be completed by the enumerator from 5am to evening in one day. Each census party should have two enumerators, and information should be filled out in the 'Wildlife Census Form 2025' for different species. The first wildlife census will be conducted on May 26, the second on June 2, and third on June 9.
